Tigers Excel in Architectural Foundation San Francisco (AFSF) Design Competition

Upper School architecture students achieved remarkable success in the 2024 Architectural Foundation of San Francisco (AFSF) High School Design Competition. Justin C. (‘26) and Kae C. (‘25) were both recognized for their outstanding contributions, demonstrating exceptional creativity and technical skill in their designs for a Community Resilience Center in Greenville, CA. 

As we support students in developing an enduring commitment to learning, our fantastic faculty search for opportunities to get extend our students’ learning beyond the classroom. Not only are international competitions like the AFSF High School Design Competition exciting, they also provide an opportunity for students to tackle a real-life problem using the skills they’re learning in class. Developing solutions to issues like climate change, community development, and economic disparities gives our students a real look into how their Taipei American School education can help them make the world a better place. 

This year, the design brief challenged students to create a multifaceted Community Resilience Center in response to the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in California. The students' designs needed to address three critical areas of use: daily life, emergency events, and communal recovery. Greenville, CA, heavily impacted by the 2021 Dixie Fire, served as the site for this project. 

Participants were evaluated on various criteria, including their “Big Idea” design narrative, design function, design aesthetics, technical execution, presentation clarity, and overall process. This competition provided students with an opportunity to enhance their awareness of the intricate relationship between space, human scale, and function. They put their design skills to work through a variety of methods, such as sketching, hand drawing, computer-aided design, and model making. Additionally, they were required to consider design context, site context, a program brief, and a precedent study, culminating in the delivery of 2D drawings, 3D models, a written design description, and a video narrating their design process. 

Justin C. earned first place in the ‘Design Process Entry’ category for his project titled “Potc'ode Maidu, A Winged Odyssey.” His work was praised for its innovative concept and detailed execution. Mr. Andre Huang, our Upper School Visual Arts Teacher, commented on Justin's achievement: “Justin's design was a true testament to his ability to think creatively and technically. His project stood out not only for its originality but also for its meticulous attention to detail and functionality.” 

Kae C. took third place in the ‘Individual Design Entry’ category with her project “Folium Spei.” Her work was recognized for its comprehensive approach, including plan, section, and elevation drawings, as well as exterior and interior renderings. Kae's incorporation of AI-generated images from her base designs was particularly noted in the competition. “Kae demonstrated an impressive command of both traditional and modern design techniques,” said Mr. Huang. “Her ability to seamlessly integrate AI imagery into her work shows a forward-thinking approach that is essential in today's architectural landscape.” 

Mr. Huang shared his pride in the students' achievements and highlighted the importance of supporting young designers. “Our goal as educators is to provide students with the tools and guidance they need to reach their full potential. Seeing Justin and Kae's work being recognized at such a high level is incredibly rewarding. It reaffirms the importance of fostering creativity and resilience in our students.” 

The success of these students underscores the value of architectural education in preparing young minds to tackle real-world challenges. Their designs not only addressed the immediate needs of a community recovering from disaster but also provided sustainable and innovative solutions for the future. At TAS, this is what learning is all about; taking what students master in the classroom and applying it to the world beyond our walls. 

To learn more about the students' journey and view their remarkable work, check out the 2024 AFSF Design Competition intro slides. We hope you're just as inspired by the creativity and dedication of these young architects as we are!  

For more information, you can watch the competition highlights on YouTube. Great job, Tigers!